West Papua Association - UK press release:
Timor
trials debacle raises fear of increased military oppression in West
Papua
26 June
2003 - The disastrous failure of Indonesia's ad hoc human rights
court for East Timor to provide justice for the victims of human rights
atrocities in East Timor has heightened fears of increased military
oppression in areas such as West Papua.
The international
solidarity movement for West Papua, which met in Brussels
on 7/8 June, has today written an open letter to members of the
international community [see footnote] expressing concern about the likely
impact of the proceedings on the unaccountable power of the Indonesian
military, TNI.
The trials
in the ad hoc court are due to end with the likely acquital of
the highest-ranking defendant, Major General Adam Damiri, on 1 July.
The solidarity
movement expresses the view that the trials 'have been a
travesty of justice designed to protect senior military officers
responsible for gross violations of human rights.'
It fears
that 'the process has undermined efforts to end military impunity
and improve respect for the rule of law throughout Indonesia' and that
'increased militarisation and violence in areas such as West Papua and
Aceh
will result from the legal system's failure to challenge the power of
the
military'.
The solidarity
groups issue a warning that the TNI is continuing to engage
in activities which undermine peace and stability in West Papua, including
a widespread operation in the central highlands area around the town of
Wamena, which has led to the killing of civilians, the destruction of
homes, schools and crops and the forcible displacement of around 1,000
people.
The activities
of the militant Muslim Laskar Jihad militia group and the
local Satgas Merah Putih militia are a also severe threat to peace in
the
area, they say.
The solidarity
groups add that the people of West Papua have a complete
lack of faith in the administration of justice because of the failure
of
the authorities to conduct credible investigations and prosecutions in
relation to numerous serious crimes, including the killing of Papuan leader
Theys Eluay in November 2001.
In their
letter, they call for an end to military operations in West Papua,
renewed efforts to resolve the conflict by peaceful means in accordance
with the call by local people for West Papua to be made a Land of Peace,
the resolution of all outstanding serious crimes cases, and the
implementation of the recommendations of a recent report on Indonesia
by UN
special rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers.
ENDS